I leaned forward so I could peer down the road.
Gisila was seated in a car. I couldn’t make out much more than her fingers tapping on the steering wheel with irritation.She was parked out of sight of Jade’s group—I could only see her because I’d positioned myself halfway between the two. I’d figured it was an ideal place to watch the ensuing battle.
I’d wandered down to Goldstein too late to see the initial disturbance—which is what had attracted my attention. But I had arrived in time to watch Gisila, standing in the middle of the road, chew out her hired mercenaries. She ordered them to send more mercenaries after Jade and once Jade and her teammates had evaded the first truck, Gisila had ordered all but a small team after them.
The small team had been left behind for observation purposes, which was weird considering it seemed like Gisila’s main goal had been to break into Tutu’s.
Why, then, is she so bent on eradicating Jade’s team? It’s too late, they already called for backup on their radio. The Cloisters must be acting. A tactical retreat would be the wiser course. So why is she sending in her entire force?
It wasn’t smart.
Granted, I didn’t think dragon shifters were particularly smart to begin with. Greedy? Yes. Power hungry? Certainly. Intelligent? Only in particular conditions.Which apparently does not include instances in which Jade is involved.
Based on the show of power, it seemed the Magical Response Task Force had bought themselves Gisila’s enmity—and a dragon didn’t let go of grudges. Ever.
Jade and her crew eliminated the last few wolves from the initial wave, and together turned to face the fresh threat that was the incoming wolves.
Jade swapped out her handgun’s magazine with smooth efficiency and shot two wolves leading the charge, while the wizard set another on fire.
I unfolded my arms so I could scratch my jaw, considering the fight.
I would have considered joining the fray, except Gisila was present. I still had no idea what her shifter senses were like, and I wouldn’t risk her recognizing me as Considine Maledictus.
She’d likely tell Killian of my nighttime activities, but mostly I didn’t want her spreading the stupid—and incorrect—rumor that I was concerned with a human.
Jade is entertainment and entertainment only. She must be. But… is that truly all she is to me?
It was dangerous that I even thought that question. The weight of Ambrose’s ring in my pocket was a reminder of the endless loss and emptiness—which resulted in weakness—that an attachment of friendship brought.
That didn’t even begin to touch the devastation that came with slowly forgetting him.
I didn’t want to repeat that experience.
But the fact was, it annoyed me greatly to watch someone besides myself fight her and it irritated me to see how she outmatched her teammates. I was self-aware enough to know that such emotions meant—on some level—I had entered the danger zone.
I scowled as Jade used her empty magazine to bludgeon a werewolf in the head.
I should leave Magiford. If I left now this…weakness won’t progress. I could go visit Jargal—he needs to be rattled. I’m sure ruining his life for a few months would be amusing. Tiresome, but amusing.
If I left, life would continue as it had: a dreary, never-ending march I dragged myself through because of a stupid promise.
Gisila had stopped tapping her steering wheel and was now snarling into her cellphone.
Her lovely face was twisted with her anger—which was highly amusing to witness.
It is almost as much fun to watch Jade thwart others as it is to fight her.
I lazily looked back to the fight.
Jade’s team had clustered together, the vampire and werewolf guarding the wizard so she could chuck fire at incoming wolves. Jade moved around them, shoring up any weak spots. They were starting to show signs of weariness, but they were holding out admirably.
The task force werewolf didn’t even grimace in pain when one of the mercenaries in wolf form bit his arms. He just slammed it into the ground, then flung its lax body at an incoming mercenary.
The vampire streaked forward to kick a werewolf in the side, then stabbed it with a small dagger before she jumped back retreating from claws and teeth.
Jade shot one wolf, dodged another that lunged at her, and then grabbed a dagger from her thigh bandolier and stabbed it.
Behind the wizard, one of the wolves that had remained in human form unsteadily rose to his feet.
